Interior Design Trends

TRENDS

The Times They Are A-Changing.

• THE ECONOMY

Just as Bob Dylan wrote in his song of 1964, the times are indeed changing. Design businesses small and large are feeling the effects of this stalled economy + change to our economic structure are sorely needed. But one thing to remember: “The only constant is Change!” Some good news however. Various sources across the business world

seem to believe that the housing bust has finally bottomed out. The bad news? It may take 2-4 years before it revives itself to some balanced position. So what can design firms do to survive? Cut as much overhead, trim expenses and tread water. Designers should take the time to sharpen the saw, polishing their brand and discovering the next big wave so that when the market turns up again, everything will be in place to take advantage of it.

• SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

While Kermit told us that its wasn’t easy being green, the truth is that with more + more vendors putting their feet in the water, its only going to get easier for design professionals to create work + home environments that will be sustainable. So what’s keeping many firms from doing it? Perhaps a lack of education. Perhaps its more like deciding to take the plunge and just doing it. Its a learning curve as

with everything that requires some energy expended. But “green” will be riding the crest for sometime to come. Start with just two baby steps: (1) specify paints with low VOCS..... (2) specify design products that can be easily recycled. Now that was easy.

• AGING-IN-PLACE

There is going to be a major cultural shift in the U.S. population when the 76 million baby boomers born between 1946 and 1964 begin to contemplate how they will maintain their independency as they age. Sources are already worried about this evolution such as the AARP, U.S. government, the Social Security Administration and

the Medicare Systems. Designers and architects can take advantage and begin designing places that go beyond applications of universal design, creating built environments that are supportive, safe but attractive and pleasing. It seems that the leading edge baby boomers are highly educated, have greater financial wealth + a higher affinity for products + places that are well designed. They want nothing that would visually remind them they are getting older too soon.

Read the interview senior editor Daniel DiClerico with Consumer Reports did with Michael A. Thomas, as he answers the top ten questions about Aging-In-Place as well as offers tips for making your home more accessible in only a weekend. www.ConsumerReports.org